Revolving door control system

ABSTRACT

A revolving door and controls therefor are set forth to restrict access into a room to only authorized personnel. The revolving door is disposed in a housing having an entrance and an exit into the room. The revolving door includes a plurality of wings which, in cooperation with the housing, define a plurality of compartments movable in response to rotation of the door to transport a person between the entrance and exit through the housing. Included are means for identifying authorized personnel and driving the door for rotation to transport that authorized person in a selected compartment between the entrance and the exit. Means are included for sensing two or more persons in the selected compartment moving from a starting point between the entrance and the exit, the sensing means reversely rotating the door to return the selected compartment to the starting point. Also included are means to prevent a subsequent, unauthorized person, attempting to use the same card key passed back by an authorized person passing through the door.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.533,983, filed Sept. 20, 1983 now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to security doors and more particularlyrevolving or pivoting type security doors and controls therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Security doors and the like and in particular revolving-type securitydoors are designed to limit access to a certain area or room of abuilding or structure to only authorized personnel. For example, in theprivate sector, it is desirable to limit access to authorized personnelto computer rooms where confidential or vital business or personalinformation and data is retained in the computer memory. Unauthorizedaccess may result in the theft or destruction of that information anddata. Similarly, restricted areas such as those areas wherein researchand development are being conducted, where trade secret equipment,processes or information is retained, or where valuable materials orequipment are located also requires means to limit access to onlyauthorized personnel. Not only would unlimited access jeopardize theinformation and equipment as far as theft and destruction is concerned,but also may present a public crisis should terrorist gain access tothose areas.

In nuclear facilities, strict security is required to protectfissionable material from theft by terrorists or the like. Security mayalso be required to control access to areas monitoring and operatingequipment which, if damaged or destroyed, may present a danger to alarge segment of the public.

In a public sector, government facilities may contain top secretinformation, equipment or restricted material or confidential orotherwise vital information which, if in the hands of unauthorizedpersonnel such as terrorists, may jeopardize national security orotherwise endanger the public. As can be appreciated, tight securityunder these and other circumstances is of extreme importance.

Accordingly, there is a present need for a security door, and inparticular, a revolving security door adapted to restrict access to thesecurity areas or rooms to only authorized personnel. Heretofore, theonly means to restrict access has been to use security guards posted atthe entrances and exists of the security area. Guards present areadditional expense and may not be reliable.

In an effort to dispense with the need for personnel posted at thesecurity area, some elementary forms of security systems involvingrevolving doors have been developed. One type is found in U.S. Pat. No.4,341,165, issued July 27, 1982 to Calandritti et al. However, this typeof revolving door is only adapted to prevent access to those carryingweapons and the like as sensed by a metal detector, and does not attemptto completely prevent access by unauthorized personnel.

In another type of revolving door, U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,297, issued Oct.20, 1981 to Carroll et al, the revolving door is adapted to only preventreverse movement or travel of a person from one area to another. Therevolving security door does not attempt to restrict access to, forexample, a security room, but only to prevent unauthorized exit.Accordingly, this type of revolving door is only concerned withcontrolling the direction of movement of personnel rather thanrestricting access.

As can be appreciated, none of the prior art focuses upon a revolvingsecurity door and controls therefore to limit access and exit to andfrom a security area to only authorized personnel. In particular, noneof the revolving doors found in the prior art address the major problemsfaced when designing a revolving security door and controls to limitaccess and exit to and from a security area. One major problem,hereinafter referred to as piggy-backing, is where an unauthorizedperson attempts to accompany an authorized person, in the samecompartment, through the revolving door. Revolving doors heretoforefound in the prior art have been unable to recognize and prevent such amode of unauthorized access. Another problem hereinafter referred to as"pass back", is that of where an authorized person, as recognized by thedoor control system, for example by a card key or the like, passes backthe card key to an unauthorized individual who uses the same card togain entrance. Still another problem is that of preventing simultaneoustravel of an unauthorized person from, for example, the door entranceinto the security area as an authorized person moves with the door fromthe security area to return to the door entrance. Yet another problemnot addressed in the prior art, over and above the recognition ofauthorized personnel and the various modes of unauthorized entry notedabove, is the return of the unauthorized person to his or her point ofentry into the door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is therefore, provided in the practice of the preferred embodimentof the present invention, a security door and controls therefor torestrict access into a room to only authorized personnel. The securitydoor has a housing having an entrance and an exit into the room. Thedoor includes a member rotatably disposed in the housing and having aplurality of wings which, in cooperation with the housing, define atleast one compartment movable in response to rotation of the member totransport a person between the entrance and exit through the housing.The door control includes means for enabling the member for rotation tomove a selected compartment between the entrance and exit in response toidentification of an authorized person.

The enabling means may simply release the member for rotation or mayactively drive the member. As the member is rotated, means are providedfor generating pulses, each pulse representing an increment of movementfor the compartment between the entrance and exit. Determining meansestablish, from the number of pulses from an index position, theposition of the compartment. To establish the progression of theauthorized person through the door, sensing means which may be footpressure activated switches generate a signal as the authorized persontraverses through a designated region of the housing. To particularlyprevent piggy-backing, comparing means compare the determined positionof the compartment with the signal generated by the sensing means.Should the position of the compartment and the generation of the signaldetermine that an unauthorized person is also within the compartment,the comparing means issues a disabling command to prevent furthermovement of the compartment toward the exit. The disabling command maybrake and hold the member against rotation, may enable only reversemovement of the compartment to discharge the persons within thecompartment or, if the member is driven, may reverse the rotation of themember to forcibly discharge the individuals from the door.

By providing the determining means the operation of the door can beeasily varied to sense or perform certain functions at desiredcompartment positions. An example would be sensing means to determine,at a designated compartment position, whether the authorized person haspassed through the door, the sensing means generating an appropriatesignal. Should an unauthorized individual attempt to pass in the samedirection through the door after the authorized person using the sameauthorization indicia (e.g. card key) passed back by the authorizedperson, the sensing means would generate a signal resulting in disablingof the door. Further, the door may be stopped at desired compartmentpositions to, for example, permit the authorized person to interact witha device such as an automatic teller or to scan the individual with ametal detector or the like.

More particularly, the door according to the present invention includesa rotatable drive shaft operated by an electric motor under control of amicroprocessor which receives and counts pulses from a pulse generatorwhich issues a pulse for approximately every 3° of compartment pivot.Switches, closed by foot pressure, generate signals received by themicroprocessor as a person passes through the door. Switches arearranged such that a signal is generated as the individual first beginsto pass through the door. At a compartment location, as determined bythe microprocessor, where closure of the switches indicates apiggy-backing situation, the microprocessor thereafter controls themotor to reversely rotate the door to return the compartment to thestarting position.

For a revolving door, switch means are provided to prevent anunauthorized person from passing through the door in a reverse directionas an authorized person is passing in a forward direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the presently preferred embodimentwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a revolving door incorporating thecontrol according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view of the door of taken along line 2--2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a bottom view of an preferred embodiment of sensing meansshown as a mat incorporated into the revolving doors of FIGS. 1 and 2which interfaces with a control to restrict access to authorizedpersonnel;

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the mat similar to that of FIG. 3Aillustrating another embodiment thereof;

FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the sensingmeans embodied as mats;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the revolving door;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the top of the revolving door;

FIG. 6 is a view of the underside of the top of the revolving door takenalong 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a broken front view of a wing for the revolving door;

FIG. 8 is a perspective partial view of the revolving door showing thepivoting of a wing to provide access through the door in the event of anemergency;

FIG. 8A is a partial section view of an arm which mounts a wing showinga retractable pivot pin to aid in the assembly of the wing to therevolving door;

FIG. 9 is a schematic showing the operation of the control for therevolving door;

FIGS. 10A through 10D are a partial plan view of the door, illustratingthe progression of an authorized person therethrough;

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of the revolving door illustratingpiggy-backing of an unauthorized person with an authorized personthrough the revolving door;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the door schematically illustrating thesimultaneous movement of an unauthorized person through the door with anauthorized person;

FIG. 13 is an embodiment of the revolving door incorporating a metaldetector;

FIG. 14 is a partial plan view of the revolving door illustrating asafety feature to prevent the trapping of an arm or the like by therevolving door;

FIG. 15 is a partial section view of the mat taken along line 15--15 ofFIG. 3B;

FIG. 16 is a schematic, top view of another embodiment of the presentinvention for use with automatic tellers or the like; and

FIGS. 17A-17D illustrate the operation of the door of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a security door 20 according to thepresent invention is shown. The security door 20 may be of a revolvingtype and is incorporated into a wall shown generally as 22 whichseparates a security area 24 from a general access area 26. The securityarea 24 may be a computer or a control room, laboratory, securitycorridor or the like to which access is to be restricted to authorizedpersonnel. While the general access area 26 may also be a secured areaaccessible to authorized personnel having a lower security clearance, itis to be understood that the wall 22 with the door 20 provides asecurity barrier between the two aforesaid areas.

The security door 20 has a cylindrical housing 28 which includesupstanding, semi-cylindrical panels 30. The panels 30, as shown in FIGS.1 and 2, extend from the floor of the facility or from a providedcircular bottom 32 disposed between the panels 30. The panels 30 arespaced from each other and arranged to be coaxial and of the samediameter, each spanning approximately 90° of arc. The axis defining thepanels 30 will hereinafter be referred to as the door axis. Each panel30 is fashioned from a pair of semi-cylindrical segments 34 connectedbetween and supported by edgeposts 36, a center post 38, and a bottomskirt 40 secured to the bottom 32. The center posts 38 are connected tothe wall 22 to incorporate the panels 30 into the wall structure. Thesegments 34 may be fashioned from glass, bullet-proof glass or acrylicas desired.

At the upper end of the housing 28, the security door 20 includes acircular top 42 coaxial with and extending between the panels 30.Typically, the top 42 will be disposed in or incorporated into theceiling (not shown) of the facility. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 1and 2, the panels 30, top 42, and bottom 32 cooperate to define thecylindrical housing 28 having an arcuate entrance 44 diametricallyopposed to an arcuate exit 46. The entrance 44 is disposed in thegeneral access area 26 whereas the exit 46 is located in the securityarea 24.

To prevent unauthorized persons from passing from the entrance 44through the housing 28 to the exit 46 and to the security area 24, thedoor 20 includes a revolving member 48 disposed in the housing 28 (FIG.2). The member 48 has a rotatable shaft 50 supported between the top 42and bottom 32 and along the door axis. The top 42 has an axial opening(not shown) through which the shaft 50 passes for purposes which willhereinafter become evident. Four wings 52 project outwardly from theshaft 50 to, when the shaft is rotated, sweep closely from the panels 30as best shown in FIG. 2. While the door 20 illustrated preferably hasfour identical panels 52 spaced 90° from one another, it is to beunderstood that more or less panels could be used as desired. The fourspaced panels 52 define, in cooperation with the housing 28, foursemi-=cylindrical compartments 54a through 54d. When the shaft 50 isrotated the panels 52 revolve within the housing 28 to move thecompartments 54a through 54d in a revolving fashion about the door axisbetween the entrance 44 and the exit 46. A person desiring to move fromone of the areas to the other enters a selected compartment and travelstherewith betweem the entrance 44 and the exit 46.

To provide a means to drive the shaft 50 for revolving the panels 52 andmoving the compartments, the door 20 includes an electric motor 56mounted to the top 42 as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. In the preferredembodiment, the motor is a one quarter horsepower (1/4 hp) 90 volt dc,reversible, variable speed motor having a maximum output shaft speed of1750 rpm. To step down the motor speed, the motor output shaft (notshown) is coupled to a motor multiplier 58 which, in a well-knownfashion, has an output shaft speed of one-fifth (1/5) of the motor 56output speed. To further reduce the motor output shaft speed themultiplier output shaft (not shown) is coupled to a right-angle,worm-type gear reducer 60 which steps down the speed of the multiplieroutput shaft 150 times. The output of the gear reducer 60 is, in turn,connected to and drives the shaft 50. Due to the variable speed of themotor 56, the shaft 50 and thereby the compartments 54a-54d can becontrolled to revolve simultaneously within the housing 28 from 0 to 12rpm.

To couple the shaft 50 to the gear reducer 60, the shaft 50 has at itsupper end an axial, splined opening 64 (FIG. 6). Similarly, the gearreducer 60 includes a splined receptacle (not shown). A splined stubshaft 68 is cooperatively received by the shaft opening 64 and thereceptacle 66 to couple the shaft 50 to the gear reducer 60 for rotationthereof.

By virtue of the stub shaft 68, the mounting of the shaft 50 in thehousing 28 is greatly simplified. Heretofore, the shaft was initiallypositioned in the housing with the top and drive assembly subsequentlymounted and connected thereto. According to the present invention motor56, multiplier 58, and gear reducer 60 can be mounted to the housing 28prior to the shaft installation at, for example, the factory. To installthe shaft 50, the stub shaft 68 is positioned in the shaft opening 64.The shaft 50, initially at a tilted position, is located within thehousing 28 and the stub shaft 68 is inserted into the receptacle 66. Theshaft 50 is thereafter secured for rotation within the housing 28.

As illustrated in the drawings, in particular FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8 theshaft 50 is adapted to mount the wings 52. Each wing 52 includes arectangular frame 70 which may be fashioned from aluminum or the like toreduce the weight thereof. Disposed in the frame 70 is a pane 72 ofglass, bullet-proof glass, acrylic or other suitable material asdesired. The frame 70 has a length to project from the shaft to sweepclosely from the panels 30 as the member 48 revolves and a height tospan from a location near the bottom 32 to a position near the top 42.Accordingly, the wings 52, in cooperation with the housing 28, definethe semi-cylindrical compartments 54a-54d.

During construction, or in the event of an emergency such as a fire, inthe security area 24, it may be necessary to permit personnel to freelymove through the door, particularly from the security area 24 to thegeneral access area 26. To provide for such free movement, the wingframes 70 are pivotally mounted to the shaft 50 as best shown in FIGS.7, 8 and 8A. Near the bottom of the shaft 50, there is provided across-shaped support 74 defined by four outwardly projecting rectangulartabs 76. The tabs 76 are spaced 90° apart in a manner identical to thatof the wings 52. Upstanding from each tab 76, spaced from the shaft 50,is a cylindrical lower pivot pin 78 arranged along a vertical axishereinafter referred to as the wing pivot axis. Near the upper end ofthe shaft 50 are four outwardly projecting rectangular and tubular arms80. The arms 80 are spaced apart by 90° and are arranged to bevertically aligned over the tabs 76. The lengths of the arms 80 are suchas to be coextensive with the wing frame 70. Depending downwardly fromeach arm spaced from shaft 50, is a retractable upper pivot pin 82disposed to be coaxial with the wing pivot axis.

To mount each wing to the shaft 50, the wing frames 70 include bores 84and 86 at, respectively, the upper and lower edges thereof each adaptedto receive respectively the upper and lower pivot pins 78 and 82. It canbe appreciated from FIGS. 7 and 8 that each wing 52 can, accordingly,pivot about the wing pivot axis toward the neighboring wings 52. Asshown, during a fire or other emergency, in the security area 24, thewing 52 is preferably pivoted toward the entrance 44 so that movementfrom the exit 46 through the housing 28 to the entrance 44 is notimpeded.

To facilitate assembly of the wings 52 onto the shaft 50 and moreparticularly the support 74 and arms 80, the upper pivot pin 82 isretractable into the arm 80 as shown in FIG. 8A. The upper pivot pin 82includes a slot to receive one end of a lever 83 adapted to pivot abouta fulcrum 85 within the arm 80 whereas at the other end the lever 83 ismounted to a screw 92 disposed at the underside of the arm. A rotatableball 87 maintains the lever 83 in engagement with the screw 92.

To mount a wing 52, the upper pivot pin 82 is retracted into the arm 80by rotation of the screw 92 which causes the lever 83 to pivot about thefulcrum 85 to the position shown in FIG. 8A. The wing 52 is mounted suchthat the lower pivot pin 78 is received into the bore 86. Thereafter,the wing 52 is positioned preferably at or near an orientationorthogonal to the arm, so that the bore 89 is aligned to register withthe upper pivot pin 82. Rotation of the screw 92 pivots the fulcrum 83to extend the upper pivot pin 82 from the arm 80 into the bore 84pivotably mounting the wing 52 to the shaft 50.

In normal, non-emergency situations, it is necessary to hold and securethe wings in the proper 90° spacing relative to one another.Accordingly, each arm 80 includes a retractable peg 88 operated by asolenoid 89 to extend downwardly from the arm 80 to register with arecess 90 fashioned in the frames 70 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Registrybetween the pegs 88 and the recesses 90 securely holds the frame 70 andwing 52 from pivoting about the wing pivot access. To retract the peg 88into the arm 80 for pivoting of the wing, the solenoid 89 is energizedfrom, for example, a main control panel (not shown) which may be tied inwith a fire alarm system. Alternatively, the peg 88 and solenoid 89 maybe replaced by an electromagnet or other suitable means for holding theframe 70 relative to the arm 80.

To permit a person to move from the general access area 26 to thesecurity area 24, the shaft 50, in a manner described in detail below,is adapted t rotate 180° to move a selected compartment, for examplecompartment 54a, from a starting point such as the entrance 44, as shownin FIG. 2, to the exit 46. As can be appreciated, the rotation of theshaft 50 causes all the compartments to revolve similarly 180° withinthe housing 28.

To prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the security area 24through the revolving door 20, a door control system is provided. Thecontrol system includes a microprocessor housed within a dustproofenclosure 94 on the top 42 which controls the starting, stopping, anddirection rotation of the motor and shaft for revolving thecompartments. As a specific example of the preferred embodiment, a"Sysmac-S6" manufactured by Omron Corporation of Kyoto, Japan and havinga 0.5K memory has been used. Using the assigned relay numbers for theabove specified controller, the following is a program useful to operatethe door in the manner hereinafter described:

    ______________________________________                                        LD 03     AND N 94    OUT 14     AND 79                                       OR 67     OR 09       LD 70      OR TIM 4                                     AND N 75  OUT 12      AND N 103  OR TIM 3                                     AND N 78  LD 69       OUT 102    OR 96                                        OUT 67    LD 03       LD 70      OR 13                                        LD 04     OR 04       OUT 103    OR 59                                        OR 68     OR 109      LD 70      AND N 78                                     AND N 75  CNT O 002   AND 102    AND 66                                       AND N 78  LD CNT 0    AND CNT 0  AND N 94                                     OUT 68    AND N 09    OUT 75     AND N 09                                     LD 67     AND 99      LD N 97    OUT 13                                       OR 68     OR 14       AND 05     LD 70                                        OR 60     OR 13       OR 76      AND 13                                       OR 64     OR 60       AND N 78   OUT 78                                       OR 52     AND N 78    OUT 76     LD 69                                        AND TIM 2 AND N 75    LD N 98    OR 79                                        OR 90     LD N 03     AND 07     AND N 70                                     AND N 91  AND N 04    OR 77      OUT 79                                       AND N 63  OR 13       AND N 78   LD 05                                        AND N 95  AND LD      OUT 77     OR 80                                        AND N 100 OR 64       LD 76      AND N TIM 1                                  AND N 65  AND N 100   OR 77      AND N CNT 0                                  AND N 78  OR 83       AND N 70   AND N 13                                     OUT 80    AND N TIM 6 AND N 78   AND N 07                                     LD 07     OUT 83      OUT 74     OUT 19                                       OR 81     LD 80       LD 85      LD 11                                        AND N TIM 6                                                                             AND 82      TIM 6 005  AND 90                                       AND N CNT 0                                                                             AND RDM 3   LD 85      OUT 91                                       AND N 78  OR 84       OUT 16     LD 69                                        OUT 81    AND N TIM 1 LD N 10    AND N 73                                     LD 76     OUT 84      TIM 2 010  AND N 74                                     OR 77     LD 84       LD 03      AND N 80                                     OUT 21    OR 73       OR 18      AND N 81                                     LD 06     AND N 70    AND N 69   AND N 91                                     AND N 87  AND N 78    AND N 13   OUT 96                                       OUT 86    OUT 73      AND N 05   LD 00                                        LD 06     LD 84       OUT 18     AND 12                                       OUT 87    TIM 1 005   LD 67      AND N 93                                     LD 86     LD 84       OR 68      OUT 92                                       OR 82     OUT 15      AND 10     LD 00                                        AND N TIM 1                                                                             LD 81       TIM 3 020  AND 12                                       OUT 82    AND 83      LD TIM 3   OUT 93                                       LD 08     AND RDM 3   OR 90      LD 12                                        AND N 89  OR 85       AND N 78   AND N 92                                     OUT 88    AND N TIM 6 OUT 90     TIM 4 020                                    LD 08     OUT 85      LD 04      LD 13                                        OUT 89    LD 85       OR 19      AND 12                                       LD 88     OR 74       AND N 69   AND TIM 4                                    OR 95     LD 04       OUT 59     OR 60                                        AND N TIM 5                                                                             OR 109      LD N 66    AND N 78                                     OUT 95    CNT 2 001   OUT 64     AND N 52                                     LD 95     LD 66       LD 01      OUT 60                                       TIM 5 020 LD 13       OR 66      LD 13                                        LD 03     LD 00       AND N 109  AND 11                                       OR 97     LD 61       AND N 57   OUT 65                                       LD N TIM 1                                                                              OR RDM 06   OUT 66     LD 60                                        OR N CNT 1                                                                              RDM         LD 66      AND TIM 4                                    AND LD    LD RDM 02   AND N 101  OR 94                                        AND N 78  OUT 71      OUT 100    AND N TIM 7                                  OUT 97    LD RDM 04   LD 66      OUT 94                                       LD 04     OUT 69      OUT 101    LD 94                                        OR 98     LD RDM 06   LD 01      TIM 7 020                                    LD N TIM 6                                                                              OR 61       AND N 62   LD TIM 4                                     OR N CNT 2                                                                              OUT 70      OUT 61     OR 63                                        AND LD    LD RDM 05   LD 01      AND N CNT 7                                  AND N 78  OUT 99      OUT 62     OUT 63                                       OUT 98    LD N RDM 07 LD 05      LD 106                                       LD 69     OUT 20      OR 06      AND 63                                       LD 03     LD 60       OR 07      LD CNT 7                                     OR 109    AND RDM 4   OR 08      CNT 7 020                                    CNT 1 001 OR 59       OR 02      LD 12                                        LD 69     AND N 78    AND N 12   OR 11                                        OR 10     OUT 53                                                              AND 106   LD 95                                                               LD 109    OR 52                                                               OR 15     AND N 17                                                            OR 16     OUT 52                                                              OR 09     LD N 12                                                             AND N 93  AND 106                                                             LD 92     LD 12                                                               AND N 53  CTN 5 020                                                           OR LD     LD N CNT 5                                                          OR 17     OUT 23                                                              CNT 3 150 END BANK 0                                                          LD CNT 3                                                                      OUT 22                                                                        LD N RDM 10                                                                   OUT 17                                                                        LD N 09                                                                       AND N 58                                                                      OUT 57                                                                        LD N 09                                                                       OUT 58                                                                        LD TIM 04                                                                     OR 53                                                                         AND N 17                                                                      ______________________________________                                                   SET R D M                                                          ______________________________________                                                   RDM 00 000 000                                                                RDM 01 005 005                                                                RDM 02 010 010                                                                RDM 03 015 015                                                                RDM 04 022 022                                                                RDM 05 025 025                                                                RDM 06 030 030                                                                RDM 07 003 021                                                                RDM 08 001 029                                                                RDM 09 001 003                                                                RDM 10 004 026                                                                RDM 11 010 026                                                     ______________________________________                                         Copyright 1984 REVOLVING DOOR CONTROL, INC.                              

Broadly speaking, the control system is adapted to operate the door 20to prevent unauthorized personnel from both entering and leaving thesecurity area. While the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, is primarily directed toward unauthorized entry into thesecurity area 24, it is to be understood that the description is to beequally applicable to the situation wherein unauthorized personnelattempt to leave the security area 24.

The control system includes means for generating pulses in response tomovement of the door during operation from which the position of thecompartments can be determined. These pulse generating means may beembodied as a first proximity sensor 96. The first proximity sensor 96is disposed on the multiplier 58 and includes a follower 98 adapted toengage a four lobe cam 100 shown graphically in FIG. 9. Cam 100 is keyedto the multiplier output shaft and accordingly rotates at a speed 1/5 ofthe motor output speed. When the motor 56 is activated for forward orreverse revolution of the shaft 50 and thereby the compartments 54a-54d,the cam 100 rotates displacing the follower 98. The first proximitysensor 96 translates displacement of the follower 98 into pulses which,by virtue of the cam 100 and gear reducer 60, occur for every 3° ofrevolution of the shaft 50 and compartments 54a-54d. These pulsesprovide input into the control system as to the progression of the wings52 and thereby the compartments 54a-54d as they travel between theentrance 44 and the exit 46.

To provide reference input to the control system from which the pulsesare counted and the door operation is reset, the control system includesa second proximity sensor 102. The second proximity sensor is disposedon a support 104 projecting upward from gear reducer 60. Also projectingupward from the gear reducer 60 is a wheel 106 coupled to the stub shaft68 to rotate therewith, the wheel 106 including four outwardlyprojecting orthogonically arranged spokes 107. Spokes 107 are disposedover and in the same planes as the wings 52. Like the first proximitysensor, the second proximity sensor 102 has follower 108 (FIG. 9) thedisplacement of which causes the second proximity sensor 102 to generateinput pulses to the control system and, more particularly, to themicroprocessor. The second proximity sensor 102 is adapted to indicateto the logic of the control system index or reference positions for thewings 52 in the housing 28 to, in a manner described in detail below,position the door 20 in a locked position and to reset the controlsystem.

For example, when an authorized person approaches the door 20, it willinitially be in a locked position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein thewings 52 are arranged within the housing 28 to prevent passagetherethrough and to align compartment 54a at the entrance 44 andcompartment 54c at the exit 46. Due to the high gear reduction betweenthe motor 56 and the shaft 50, the member cannot be rotated. When theperson enters the door 20 and the control system revolves or permitsrevolution of the member 48 in a forward direction (counterclockwise asshown in the drawings), the angular position of which is monitored bythe first proximity sensor 96 in 3° increments. When the member 48 hasrevolved through a complete cycle to reposition the wings 52 180° fromthe starting point wherein compartment 54a is disposed at and alignedwith the exit 46 and compartment 54c is similarly located at theentrance 44, a spoke 107 engages the follower 108 to cause the secondproximity sensor 102 to send a pulse to the control system to stop thedoor and reset the control system for another sequence. To fine adjustthe starting and stopping positions of the wings 52 to maintain thecompartments properly aligned with the entrance and the exit, the wheel106 may be angularly adjusted by rotation relative to the stub shaft 68.

To identify an authorized person and initiate the control sequence torevolve the shaft 50 and move the compartments 54a-54d through thehousing 28 between the entrance 44 and the exit 46, a first card reader110 is provided at the general access area 26. The first card reader 110recognizes a card key 112 held by an authorized person, the recognitionof which produces an input to the control system to start the forwardrevolution control sequence. To initiate the control sequence forforward revolution from the security area 24, a second card reader 114is provided. While the preferred embodiment uses card readers, it is tobe understood that keys, voice or palm identification, or other modes ofrecognition could be used in place of the card readers.

Referring to FIG. 9, an authorized person approaching the revolving door20 from the general access area 26 inserts the card key 112 into thefirst card reader 110 which recognizes that person as authorized toenter the security area 24. The first card reader 110, upon recognitionof an authorized person, sends an input signal to the processor. Theprocessor's circuits initiate a start-forward control sequence 150. Thestart-forward control sequence begins with powering the motor 56 toaccelerate the shaft 50 in a forward direction from the stationarylocked position to the selected run speed. The initial acceleration andrevolution of the shaft 50 and wings 52 moves the selected compartment54a in a forward, counterclockwise direction from the entrance 44 towardthe exit 46. The authorized person steps into the compartment 54a andwalks with it to emerge from the revolving door 20 at the exit 46 andinto the security area 24.

To prevent an authorized person from being trapped within the door 20 inthe event of a door jam, the control system provides a unique safetyfeature. The door jam may originate from the person pushing against thewing trailing the compartment 54a or due to an object becoming trappedbetween a wing 52 and one of the panels 30. As can be appreciated, inthe event of a jam, the revolution of the wings 52 and shaft 50 isstopped which, in turn, stops the stream of input pulses from the firstproximity sensor 96 into the control system. In the event that thecontrol system does not receive the pulses for a period of about twoseconds as determined by a timer 118 (FIG. 9), the microprocessor stopsthe motor 56 and at the same time energizes a second timer 152. After aperiod of about five seconds as measured by the second timer 152, asignal is sent to the microprocessor to initiate a start-reverserevolution sequence 154. The start-reverse revolution sequence 154initially accelerates the shaft 50 and wings 52 to the run speed, thistime in a reverse, clockwise direction, to move the compartment 54a backtoward the entrance 44. When the wings 52 have returned to the originalquarterpoint starting position, a spoke 107 displaces the follower 108causing the second proximity sensor 102 to send a signal to theprocessor which stops the motor 56 and revolving member 48 in the lockedposition.

As can be appreciated, the control system, by providing an anti-jamfeature, protects personnel from injury by having a hand or foot trappedbetween a wing 52 and a panel 30 and from being trapped within therevolving door 20. Furthermore, the control system is adapted to returnthe compartments 54a-54d to the original starting quarterpoint positionsso that, in the event of a jam, unauthorized or unintended access intothe security area 24 is prevented.

In the absence of a jam of the door 20, or other control input ashereinafter set forth, the shaft 50 and wings 54 will continue torevolve at the run speed until they approach a point approximately 171°from their initial starting position as measured by counting the pulsesfrom the first proximity sensor 96. At approximately 171° from theinitial starting position, the processor initiates a slow-down sequencewhich decelerates the revolving wings 20 through the remaining 9° ofrotation. When the wings 52 have fully revolved 180° as indicated by thepulses from the second proximity sensor 102, the processor stops themotor 56 to hole the door in a locked position. In this position theselected compartment 54a is aligned with the exit 46 permitting theperson to leave the compartment 54a and enter the security area 24.

The sequence of an authorized person leaving the security area 24 toenter the general access area 26 and the anti-jam feature is the same asthat described above. Referring to FIG. 1, to leave the security area24, the authorized person would insert his or her card key 112 into thesecond card reader 114 which initiates the start forward sequence 150.As the wings 52 begin to revolve, the person steps into the compartment54c and travels therewith, in the manner described above, to emerge atthe entrance 44 at which position the door is again locked.

To prevent piggy-backing ana card pass back, the revolving door 20includes one or a pair of semi-circular mats 122 and 124. Mat 122, asshown in FIG. 2, is disposed on the bottom 32 of the housing 28 betweena panel 30 and shaft 50 in a forward direction from the entrance to theexit. Mat 124 is similarly disposed between a panel 30 and the shaft 50in a forward direction from the exit to the entrance. Each mat 122 and124 has a shape representing a segment of a circle and is adaptedsubstantially to conform, as best shown in FIG. 2, to the shape of acompartment. The upper surface of each mat may be provided with anon-skid waterproof surface 125 or the like. The underside of each mat,concealed from view, is provided with a plurality of tape-type pressureswitches as shown in FIGS. 3A and B. The pressure switches are adaptedto be closed by foot pressure. It is to be understood that many othertypes of switches or the like may be used and substituted therefor forthe tape-type pressure switches illustrated and described herein.

As shown in FIG. 15, the first pressure switches 128, as are all otherpressure switches hereinafter described, are disposed along the bottomof the surface 125 and are spaced from one another by cushions 129fashioned from foam rubber or the like. By adjusting the composition andamount of the cushions 129, the sensitivity of the switches can bealtered. Furthermore, the cushions 129 serve as a means to segregate theswitches from one another.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3B and 15, an embodiment of the mats isshown in detail. Each mat 122 and 124 includes a plurality, preferably9, tape-type first pressure switches 128 arranged to project radiallyacross each mat from the outer periphery to a point adjacent to theinner periphery which, when the mats are installed, are located near theshaft 50. In groups of three, the first pressure switches 128 arearranged and wired in parallel to define three equal sized, wedge-shapedsectors over each mat. Referring to FIG. 3B from right to left, threefirst pressure switches 128 are connected in parallel to define a firstsector 130. The next three first pressure switches 128 are wired inparallel to define a second sector 134. The remaining three firstpressure switches are wired in a parallel to define a third sector 138.Tape-type second pressure switches 142 are disposed in the second sector134 to project inwardly from the periphery of each mat to a positionrepresenting approximately two-thirds (2/3) the radial width of the mat.The second pressure switches 142 are also connected in parallel, thepurposes of which will hereinafter become evident.

As the authorized individual travels through the door 20, first pressureswitches 128 for the first, second and third sectors 130, 134 and 138are closed in sequence in response to the foot pressure of theauthorized individual moving with the selected compartment through thedoor 20. When an unauthorized person attempts to piggy-back with anauthorized person through the door 20, the first pressure switches 128of the second sector 134 and first sector 130 are simultaneously closedsensing the presence of two persons within the compartment. When themicroprocessor receives such signals from the pressure switches of thefirst and second sectors, the microprocessor generates a control signalto stop the motor 56 and at the expiration of time as determined bytimer, reversely rotate the door back to its original starting positionto discharge the individuals from the compartment.

To prevent an unauthorized person from passing in a reverse mannerthrough the door 2, should the second pressure switches 142 of mat 124be closed as the authorized person moves from the entrance 44 to theexit 46, the second pressure switches 142 generate a signal received bythe microprocessor which, in turn, issues a command to the motor to stopand thereafter reversely rotate to discharge both individuals from thedoor 20.

When the door has revolved approximately 160° from the startingposition, the authorized person is able to step from the third section138 and from the door 20 into the security area 24. In this position,the wing 52 trailing the compartment 52a is disposed closely to thepanel 38 preventing the authorized person from passing back his/her cardkey. Accordingly, when the wings 52 are revolved approximately 160° andthe switches of the third sector 138 close, the control logic signals apassage through the door sequence which interfaces with a digitalcomputer or the like that that particular authorized person has passedthrough the revolving door into the security area. The control logic maythereafter prevent the use of that particular card key or otheridentifying indicia from being reused to gain entrance into the securityarea 24 until the authorized person has left the security area, asdetermined by closure of the first pressure switches 142 of the thirdsector 138 for mat 124.

Turning to FIG. 3A, another embodiment of the mats for control of thedoor is shown in detail. Each mat is semicircular and includes along itsunderside a number, preferably 9, first pressure switches 128 arrangedto define four wedge-shaped sectors on the mat.

The first sector 180 is adapted to be disposed nearest the entrance whenthe mat is in position, the first sector including three first pressureswitches 128 connected in parallel and adapted to generate a signal tobe received by the processor. Adjacent the first sector 180 is a buffersector 182 which does not include any first pressure switches 128.Moving counter-clockwise in FIG. 3A, next to the buffer sector 182 is asecond sector 184 which includes three, somewhat shorter, first pressureswitches 128 connected in parallel and generating a signal to bereceived by the processor. Disposed nearest the exit 46 is a thirdsector 186 including three first pressure switches 128 connected inparallel and generating another signal to be received by themicroprocessor.

The sensing means as embodied in the mats illustrated by FIG. 3A, areadapted to sense the progression of the authorized person within theselected compartment through the door 20. When the authorized person hasenabled the microprocessor by insertion of a card key or the like, themicroprocessor energizes a motor to begin to rotate the door and movethe selected compartment 54a between the entrance and exit. As the doorinitially moves, the authorized person steps on and closes the firstpressure switches 128 for the first sector 180. Continued movement ofthe compartment causes the authorized person to step from the firstsector into the buffer sector 182 causing the first pressure switches inthe first sector 180 to open. Continued movement of the compartmentenables the authorized person to sequentially close the first pressureswitches and the second and third sectors 184 and 186 which generateappropriate signals to the microprocessor.

Should the first pressure switches of the first sector 180 and secondsector 184 be simultaneously closed, the two signals generated therebyand received by the microprocessor will result in a microprocessorissuing a control signal to deenergize the motor and reversibly rotatethe door therefore preventing piggy-backing through the door. Further,should an unauthorized person seek passage through the door 20 in areverse direction, the switches for mat 124 will generate signalreceived by the processor which, in turn, issues the disabling commandto the motor and reversibly rotates the door. When the wings haverevolved approximately 160° from the starting quarter point the firstpressure switches in the third sector 186 are closed sending signals toan interfacing computer or the like that the authorized person haspassed through the door to thereby prevent pass back of the authorizingindicia.

Turning to FIGS. 3C and 9, the preferred embodiment for the mats 122 and124 and the operation of the door 10 will be described. In that the matsare substantially identical only mat 122 will be described in detail.

Mat 122 includes first pressure switches 128 each of which extends fromadjacent the periphery in the mat radially to a location to lie adjacentto the shaft 50. As shown in FIG. 3C, these first pressure switches 128are spaced from a position adjacent one edge of the mat 122 to aposition approximately one-third the arc length for the mat. The firstpressure switches 128 are connected in parallel with shorter, firstpressure switches 128' which are spaced in a fanned fashion from thefirst pressure switches 128 to a position adjacent the trailing edge forthe mat 122.

Accordingly, as can be appreciated in FIG. 3C, the parallel connectedfirst pressure switches 128 and 128' define an L-shaped first sector 200for the mat 122. Extending from the periphery of the mat 122 and for theremaining region of the mat 122 are second pressure switches 142 whichare connected in parallel defining an annular segment shaped sector 202for the mat 122 extending for approximately two-thirds the length forthe mat. The sensing means as embodied by the first pressure switches128, 128' and second pressure switches 142 are adapted to prevent antipiggy-backing and reverse pass for the door 20.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10A-10D, the progression of an authorizedperson through the revolving door 20 over the mat 122 is shown indetail. As the selected compartment 54a moves from the startingquarterpoint from the entrance 44 to the exit 46, the authorized personinitially closes the first pressure switches 128 in the first sectorgenerating a signal 132 received by the processor. Continued progressionof the compartment 54a toward the exit 46, FIG. 10B, enables the personto take a second step on the mat 122, that second step also closing thefirst pressure switches in a first sector maintaining the signal 132.During the walking of an individual, foot pressure is transferred fromone foot to the other closing the switches in the sector withoutinterruption. Continued movement of the person with the compartment 54ato the position of FIG. 10C opens the switches of the first sector. Thesecond switches 142 for second sector 202 are disabled for mat 122during the progression of the authorized person from the entrance 44 tothe exit 46. When the wings 52 have revolved approximately 160° from thestarting position as approximately shown in FIG. 10D, the authorizedperson is able to step from the door 20 into the security area 24. Inthis position the wing 52 trailing the compartment 54a is disposedclosely to the panel 30a preventing the authorized person from passingback his or her card key 112. Accordingly, when the wings 52 haverevolved approximately 160° additionally sensing means may be providedwhich interface with a digital computer processor or the like (notshown) to indicate that particular person has passed through therevolving door 20 into the security area 24. The control logic of thedoor control and the interfacing computer thereafter prevent the use ofthat particular card key to again gain entrance into the security area24. When the authorized person leaves the security area 24 through thedoor 20, the card key 112 may again be used to gain access into thesecurity area. Of course it is to be understood that for this purposeeach card key 112 must be individually encoded for each authorizedperson. The foregoing provisions effectively provide an anti-passbackfeature to prevent the card key from being used multiple times to gainaccess into the security area. Finally, as shown in FIG. 10D, theindividual steps from the mat 122 and from the compartment 54a into thesecurity area. The revolving member, in the manner described above slowsdown and stops after 180° of revolution.

The progression of an authorized person from the security area 24 to thegenerally access area 26 over mat 124 is identical to that describedabove.

When an unauthorized person attempts to piggy-back with an authorizedperson through the revolving door 20, the situation encountered isgraphically illustrated in FIG. 11. When the compartment reaches adesignated position such as 86° from the starting quarterpoint, themicroprocessor and more particularly pulse counting means thereingenerates a signal 206. In this position, the authorized person isstanding close to the leading panel 52 to make room for the unauthorizedperson who necessarily is standing upon and closing the switches of thefirst sector 200. The simultaneous closing of the switches of the firstsector at a position 86° from the starting quarter point signals theprocessor that two persons are in the compartment 54a and that apiggy-backing situation is present. The logic of the processoraccordingly signals the motor 56 to stop and being the start-reverserotation sequence 154 described above. The wings 52 revolve in thereverse direction to return the compartment 54a to the entrance 44 andstop and lock the revolving door 20.

It has also been determined that should the authorized person attempt tocarry the unauthorized individual through on his/her back that at 86°from the starting quarterpoint the positioning of the authorizedperson's feet to maintain his/her center of gravity closes the firstpressure switches 128 in the first sector 200 causing the microprocessorto stop the door and begin the reverse sequence.

Accordingly, it can be appreciated that unauthorized persons are unableto piggy-back with an authorized person from the entrance 44 to the exit46. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that the unauthorized person isrejected by the door 20 before he has a chance to enter the securityarea 24.

The situation wherein an unauthorized person is attempting to piggy-backwith an authorized person from the security area 24 to the generalaccess area 26 operates in the same fashion as described above, thesectors of mat 124 indicating the piggy-backing situation whereupon theprocessor instructs the motor to stop and reversely rotate to return thepiggy-backing individuals to the exit 46.

To prevent the situation wherein an unauthorized individual isattempting to gain entrance simultaneously through the revolving doorfrom the entrance 44 to the exit 46 as an authorized person moves fromthe exit 46 to the entrance 44, the second pressure switches areprovided. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12, the exemplary scenario is that anauthorized person has started the control sequence to leave the securityarea 24 to enter the general access area 26. As the wings 52 revolve, anunauthorized individual entering compartment 54a attempts to move fromthe entrance 44 to the exit 46. In so doing, due to the foot pressure ofthe unauthorized individual, the second pressure switches 142 which arenow energized are closed providing an input to the processor. Theprocessor interprets the input as an unauthorized person attempting topass through the door 20 and signals the motor 56 to stop and begin thestart-reverse rotation sequence. The wings 52 are reversely rotated toreturn the compartments to their original starting position whereuponboth the authorized and unauthorized person are free to leave therevolving door. The door 20 again stops in the locked position.Accordingly, the unauthorized person is effectively prevented fromentering the security area 24. By the same token, an unauthorized personhaving somehow gained entrance into the security area 24 is prevented bythe second pressure switches of mat 124 from leaving the areasimultaneously with a person attempting to enter the security area 24.

To prevent foreign objects such as guns from being transported throughthe door, should the member 48 revolve 60° from the startingquarterpoint and the processor not receive an input from output 132,processor controls the door to stop and reversely rotate. As can beappreciated, the sensitivity of the mats must be adjusted to preventobjects such as guns or the like from closing the first pressureswitches.

Referring to FIGS. 10A-10D, the progression of the authorized personthrough the revolving door 20 over the mat of FIG. 3A will be described.As the selected compartment 54a moves from the starting quarterpoint,the authorized person initially closes the first pressure switches ofthe first sector 180 energizing an output 132 into the processor.Continued progression of the compartment 54a toward the exit 46 enablesthe person to take a second step on the mat, this time in the buffersector 182. Accordingly, the first pressure switches in the first sector180 open de-energizing the output. Further progression of thecompartment 54a toward the exit 46 enables the authorized person tosequentially close the first pressure switches in the second and thirdsectors 184 and 186 energizing specific outputs into the processor. Likethe embodiment described above, when the wings 52 have revolvedapproximately 160° from the starting quarterpoint the processor signalsan interfacing computer that the authorized person has passed through.

To prevent foreign objects from being passed through the door, shouldthe wings 52 revolve 60° without the first pressure switches of thefirst sector 180 being closed by foot pressure, the processor willcontrol the door to reversely revolve to the starting quarterpoint,

As stated above, when the member 48 is jammed, a reverse revolutionsequence is initiated. To prevent an unauthorized person from jammingthe member 48 at a starting quarterpoint and moving in a reversetravling compartment between the entrance and exit, an additionalfeature is provided. If the member 48 is jammed at a quarterpoint, i.e.,where a spoke 107 of the wheel 106 registers with the second proximitysensor 102 and the switches of the first sector 180 have been closed,the member 48 will stop and not reversely revolve. This feature is alsoprovided in the various other embodiments for the door. Should anunauthorized person also enter the compartment, and a piggy-backingsituation arise, his foot pressure will again close the switches of thefirst sector 180. Consecutive closure of the switches of the firstsector 180 causes the processor to stop the member 48 and start thereverse rotation sequence. In the event that the unauthorized personcloses the switches of the first sector 180 before the authorized personhas stepped to the buffer sector 182, the control has an alternatemethod to sense piggy-backing. As the door revolves, the authorizedperson steps into the buffer sector 180 and then to the second sector184 energizing a corresponding output therefor. At the same time, theunauthorized person has closed the switches of the first sector 180.Should the switches of the first and second sectors 80 and 184 be closedat the same time, the processor controls the motor 56 to stop and startthe reverse sequence to reversely revolve the member 48 and return thecompartment 54a to the starting quarterpoint. This, in turn, preventsthe unauthorized person from piggy-backing between the entrance andexit.

To prevent an unauthorized person from moving simultaneously through thedoor with an authorized person, as shown in FIG. 12, yet another featureis provided. The control system, based upon insertion of the card key112 into the card reader 100 determines over which of the mats 122 or124 the authorized person will proceed. For purposes of discussion, itshall be assumed that the authorized person has activated the control tomove from the entrance 44 to the exit 46 over the mat 122. Should anunauthorized person attempt to travel from the exit 46 to the entrance44 over mat 124, their foot pressure will close the switches of thesecond sector 184. Closure of those switches will energize an outputsignaling the processor to stop the member 48 and initiate the startreverse sequence 154 to return the compartments to their initialstarting quarterpoint. As can be appreciated, the reverse revolution ofthe member 48 prevents the unauthorized person from traveling throughthe door.

To provide an additional safety feature for the revolving door 20, edgeswitches 146 are provided along each of the edge posts 36 of the panels30 forwardmost with respect to forward revolution of the member 48. Theedge switches 147 are disposed at the remaining edge posts 36.Preferably the edge switches are tape-type pressure switches which closewhen depressed. Referring to FIG. 14, in the vent that a personintentionally or inadvertently places an arm or another appendage into atraveling compartment of the revolving door 20, that arm or appendagebecoming trapped between a wing 52 and one of the panels 30 depressesand closes an edge switch 146. Closure of an edge switch 146 for aperiod of about 2 seconds as measured by a timer (not shown) provids aninput 147 into the microprocessor as shown in FIG. 9. The processorinterprets that input, stops the motor 56 and energizes a timer 160which measures an elapsed time of about 2 seconds. After the expirationof 2 seconds, the timer 160 signals the start-reverse rotation sequence154 which returns the wings 52 to their original starting position.Accordingly, persons are prevented from becoming trapped or injured bythe revolving door 20. The edge switches 147 when depressed and closedcontrary to the edge switches 146, provide an input 161 (FIG. 9) intothe processor which stops the motor 56. The member 48 is notautomatically reversely revolved and accordingly means must be providedto override the processor to restart the motor in either a forward or areverse direction.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 13,a metal detector 148 may be provided at one or both of the panels 30. Ata selected position along the travel of the compartments 54a-54d betweenthe entrance 44 and the exit 46, the processor may be programmed to stopthe revolution of the shaft 50 and wings 52 and conduct a scan via themetal detector 148 for weapons or the like. The position of stoppage ofthe panels 52 is determined based on the input from the first proximitysensor 96. Based on the determination of the metal detector 148, theforward sequence may be reinitiated by the processor to permit theindividual to travel between the entrance 44 and the exit 46. If metalis detected, the processor initiates the reverse sequence to return theindividual to the starting position.

Turning to FIGS. 16 and 17A-D, an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. In this embodiment, the door 20 is adapted tocontrol access to an area which may house an automatic teller device 240or the like. These devices have been subject to vandalism and othermisdeeds and accordingly limiting access thereto by only those personsauthorized such as card holding customers is desired.

In this embodiment, the door 20 includes a housing having a top andbottom which may be somewhat similar to those described with referenceto the preceding embodiment.

The door 10 includes a rotatable member 48 having a shaft 50 coupled tothe motor and supporting a pair of wings 52a and 52b spaced apartapproximately 90°. The wings 52a and 52b cooperate with side walls 250aand 250b to define a cylindrical section shaped compartment 54 whichhouses the device 240. A microprocessor controls the operation of themotor in cooperation with sensing means which generates signals toindicate authorized or unauthorized persons. These sensing means arepreferably embodied as a mat 122 similar to that described above andwith reference to FIG. 3C.

To operate the door, the authorized person inserts an authorizingindicia, such as a card key in a reader 110 provided on one of the walls250b. When the control recognizes the authority of the person theprocessor energizes the motor which pivots approximately 45° asdetermined by, for example, second proximity sensor being engaged by acam including appropriately arranged spokes to a position represented inFIG. 17A. In this position, the door stops for a designated period oftime such as, for example, three seconds defining an entrance for thedoor. At the expiration of such time, the processor controls the motorto rotate the member 48 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in thedrawings from the position shown in FIG. 17A to the position shown inFIG. 17B. In this position, which may be approximately 36° or the likefrom the starting position, as determined by an appropriate counter forthe pulses generated by the first proximity sensor, should the firstpressure switches 128 for the first sector be closed, the control willrecognize it as a piggy-backing situation and stop the door andthereafter initiate a reverse rotate sequence to urge both individualsfrom the compartment. If a piggy-backing situation is not present, themember will continue to rotate and ultimately stop at its initialstarting position as shown in FIG. 16.

In this position, a closed compartment is provided for the individual toconduct his/her transaction.

At the conclusion of the transaction, the individual depresses a controlbutton 252 or the like which signals the processor that the transactionhas been completed. The processor thereafter energizes the motor torotate the member 48 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG.17C to ultimately stop at a position as shown in FIG. 17D defining anexit to permit the individual to egress from the compartment 54. After aperiod of time, for example, three seconds, the processor controls themotor to reversibly rotate (in a clockwise direction) to return themember 48 to its initial starting position as shown in FIG. 16.

It should be noted that should an unauthorized person be sensend byclosure of the first or second pressure switches 128 or 142 while themember 48 is at, respectively, the positions shown in FIGS. 17D and 17A,the processor will control the door to sweep the unauthorized individualaway from the device 240.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of the presentinvention, it is to be understood that it is subject to modificationwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the attached claims. Forexample, rather than powering the revolving door 20 for revolution, thedoor may be manually revolved and provided with a brake and ratchetmechanism activated by the microprocessor to stop the shaft 50 and wings52 and permit only reverse rotation thereof. Additionally, by virtue ofthe first and second proximity sensors, the progression of thecompartment through the housing may be stopped one or several locationsas desired to conduct various scans of the person to detect, forexample, explosives or radioactive material.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control for a security door of the type havinga housing with an entrance and an exit, a member rotatably disposed inthe housing and having a plurality of wings which, in cooperation withthe housing, define at least one compartment movable between theentrance and exit in response to rotation of the member, the controlcomprising:means for enabling the member for rotation to move a selectedcompartment from the entrance to the exit in response to identificationof an authorized person; means for generating pulses as the selectedcompartment moves between the entrance and exit, each pulse representingan increment of movement for the selected compartment; means fordetermining the position of the selected compartment from the pulses;means for sensing persons or objects in said selected compartment at atleast one region between the entrance and exit, the sensing meansgenerating a signal indicative of such persons or objects; and means forcomparing the position of the selected compartment with the signal toindicate the passage of an authorized individual through the region, thecomparing means issuing a command to prevent further rotation of themember and motion of the selected compartment when the position of theselected compartment and the signal indicates the presence of a second,unauthorized person or object in said region.
 2. The control of claim 1wherein the sensing means includes at least one switch closed by footpressure as the individual enters the region.
 3. The control of claim 1wherein the sensing means is adapted to generate a second signalindicative of the presence of an unauthorized person within the housingand outside the selected compartment, the second signal preventingfurther rotation of the member to prevent unauthorized passage throughthe door.
 4. The control of claim 3 wherein the sensing means includes aswitch closed by foot pressure.
 5. The control of claim 1 wherein thepulse generating means generates a pulse for approximately every 3degrees of compartment revolution through the housing.
 6. The control ofclaim 1 wherein the housing is cylindrical having the entrancediametrically opposed to the exit, the member being rotatable about ashaft disposed along an axis for the housing and having four equallyspaced wings projecting from the shaft toward the housing, saidcomparing means issuing a control signal to stop the rotation of saidshaft should the comparing means issue said command when the door hasrotated approximately 86 degrees.
 7. The control of claim 3 furtherincluding means to release the member for reverse rotation to return theunauthorized person to the initial point of entry into the door.
 8. Thecontrol of claim 1 further including means for reversely rotating saidmember to return the selected compartment and the unauthorized person orobject to the entrance.
 9. The control for a security door of the typehaving a cylindrical housing with an entrance and diametrically opposedexit, a member rotatably disposed in the housing and having a pluralityof wings which, in cooperation with the housing, define a plurality ofcompartments movable between the entrance and exit in response torotation of the member, the control comprising:means for enabling themember from an index starting position for rotation to move a selectedcompartment between the entrance and exit in response to identificationof an authorized person; means for generating pulses as the selectedcompartment moves between the entrance and exit, each pulse representingan increment of movement for the selected compartment; means forcounting the pulses from the index starting position to determine theposition of the selected compartment; means for sensing the authorizedperson within the selected compartment, the sensing means generating asignal as the person travels through a designated region in the housing;and means for comparing the position of the selected compartment withthe signal to indicate the presence of a second person within theselected compartment and for issuing a command to prevent furtherrotation of the member.
 10. The control of claim 9 wherein the comparingmeans issues the command when the signal is generated and the member hasrotated approximately 86° from the starting index position.
 11. Asecurity door for controlling access to a device comprising:asemicylindrical housing having a semicylindrical wall, a memberrotatably supported in the housing, and a pair of wings disposed on themember and defining a compartment therebetween, the wings at a closedposition cooperating with the wall to define an enclosure for thedevice; means for enabling the member for rotation in a first directionto move the compartment from the closed to an open position in responseto identification of an authorized person; means for rotating the memberin a reverse direction to move the compartment from the open toward theclosed position; means for generating pulses as the compartment movesfrom the open to the closed position, each pulse representing anincrement of movement for the compartment; means for counting pulsesfrom the open position to determine the position of the compartment;means for sensing the individual within the compartment, the sensingmeans generating a signal as the individual travels through a designatedregion in the housing; and means for comparing the position of thecompartment with the signal to indicate the presence of a secondunauthorized individual in the compartment and for issuing a command toprevent further rotation of the member and unauthorized access to thedevice.
 12. A control for a revolving door for providing access into aroom by only authorized personnel, the revolving door having a housingwith an entrance spaced from an exit leading to the room, the revolvingdoor including a rotatable shaft mounting a plurality of wings whichdefine a plurality of compartments movable through the housing betweenthe entrance and the exit in response to shaft rotation, the controlcomprising:means for providing for rotation of the shaft in a forwarddirection, in a reverse direction and for preventing rotation of theshaft; means for identifying an authorized person and controlling therotation means to release and rotate the shaft in the forward directionto move a compartment from a starting position between the entrance tothe exit, the authorized person traveling within the compartment toenter and leave the room; and means for sensing two persons traveling inthe compartment, the sensing means controlling the shaft rotation meansto rotate the shaft in the reverse direction to return the compartmentto the starting position.
 13. The revolving door control of claim 12wherein the identifying means is a lock operated by a key.
 14. Therevolving door of control of claim 12 wherein the identifying means is acard reader operated by a card key.
 15. The revolving door control ofclaim 12 wherein the sensing means includes a plurality of spacedswitches closed in a preselected sequence by foot pressure as a persontravels within the compartment between the entrance and the exit, asecond person entering the compartment closing switches out of sequenceto control the shaft rotation means to reversely rotate the shaft andreturn the compartment to the starting position.
 16. The revolving doorof claim 15 wherein the switches are arranged in sectors between theentrance and the exit, each sector of switches closed in progression asa person moves within the compartment between the entrance to the exit,a second person entering the compartment closing a sector of switchesout of progression to control the shaft rotation means to reverselyrotate and return the compartment to the starting position.
 17. Therevolving door control of claim 15 wherein said switches are tapeswitches disposed on the underside of the concealing mat.
 18. Therevolving door control of claim 15 wherein the switches are arranged infirst through third wedge-shaped sectors extending between the shaft andthe housing, the first sector disposed nearest the starting position andthe third sector disposed remote from the starting position, theswitches of said first through third sectors closed and opened inprogression by foot pressure as a person travels within the selectedcompartment between the entrance and the exit, closure of the switchesof the first and second sectors indicating a second person in thecompartment and controlling the shaft rotation means to reversely rotateand return the compartment to the starting position.
 19. The revolvingdoor control of claim 15 wherein the switches are arranged in firstthrough third wedge-shaped sectors, the first sector disposed nearestthe starting position, the third sector disposed remote from thestarting position, the second sector arranged adjacent the third sectorspaced from the first sector, the switches of the first sector closedand opened as a person travels within the selected compartment, repeatedclosure of the switches of the first sector indicating a second personin the compartment and controlling the shaft rotation means to reverselyrotate and return the compartment to the starting position.
 20. Therevolving door control of the claim 19 wherein the switches of the thirdsector are closed when the selected compartment approaches the exit,closure of said third sector switches signaling the identifying meansthat the authorized person has passed through the revolving door toprevent an unauthorized person from using the same identifying indiciato pass through the revolving door.
 21. The revolving door control ofclaim 20 wherein the identifying indicia is a card key, closure of saidthird sector switches by the authorized person signaling the identifyingmeans to prevent an unauthorized person from using the same card key.22. The revolving door control of claim 12 further including a secondmeans for sensing an unauthorized person traveling in a secondcompartment moving between the entrance and the exit from an oppositestarting point as the first compartment moves from the starting point,the second sensing means controlling the shaft rotating means toreversely rotate and return the second compartment to the oppositestarting point.
 23. The revolving door control of claim 22 wherein thesecond sensing means is at least one switch closed by foot pressure. 24.The revolving door control of claim 22 including a plurality of tapeswitches disposed on the underside of a concealing mat.
 25. Therevolving door control of claim 12 wherein the shaft rotating means is areversible motor coupled to the shaft, the motor when stopped preventingrotation of the shaft.
 26. A method for preventing unauthorized entryinto a security area including a revolving door having a housing with anentrance spaced from an exit which communicates with the security areaand a plurality of wings revolvable within the housing, said wings incooperation with the housing defining compartments movable in responseto wing revolution to permit an authorized person to travel between theentrance and the exit, the method comprising the steps of:restrainingthe wings against revolution to prevent movement of the compartmentsbetween the entrance and the exit; releasing the wings for revolutionfrom a starting point in response to identification of an authorizedperson; and sensing the presence of two or more persons in any onecompartment and restraining the wings against further revolution. 27.The method of claim 26 wherein the wings are released for revolution tomove a compartment and an authorized person from the exit to theentrance, the method further including sensing the movement of anunauthorized person in a compartment moving from the entrance toward theexit and restraining the wings against further revolution.
 28. Themethod of claim 26 further including reversely revolving the wings toreturn the two persons in the compartment to the starting point.
 29. Arevolving door and control to limit access to a security areacomprising:a housing having an entrance spaced from an exit whichcommunicates with the security area; a member revolvably disposed in thehousing, the member including a plurality of wings which, in cooperationwith the housing, define compartments to revolve with the member to movean authorized person between the entrance and the exit through thehousing: reversible drive means to revolve the member and compartmentsin a forward direction and in a reverse direction; means to restrain themember and compartments against revolution; means for identifying anauthorized person, said identifying means controlling the drive means torevolve the member and compartments in a forward direction to transportthe authorized person in a selected compartment from a starting positionbetween the entrance and the exit through the housing; and means forsensing two persons traveling in the selected compartment, the sensingmeans controlling said drive means to revolve the member andcompartments in a reverse direction to return the selected compartmentto the starting position.
 30. The revolving door of claim 29 wherein theauthorized person is traveling in the selected compartment, moving fromeither the exit or entrance, the revolving door further including secondmeans to sense an unauthorized person traveling with a secondcompartment from a second starting point at the other of the exit andentrance, said second sensing means controlling said drive means torevolve the compartments in a reverse direction to return the secondcompartment to the second starting point.
 31. The revolving door ofclaim 29 wherein said sensing means includes at least two switchesdisposed to be closed in sequence as the authorized person moves withthe compartment, closure of both of the switches sensing two persons insaid compartment.
 32. The revolving door of claim 29 wherein saidsensing means includes at least two switches disposed to be closed inprogression as the authorized person moves with the compartment,consecutive closures of a switch sensing two persons in the selectedcompartment.
 33. The revolving door of claim 29 wherein the sensingmeans includes a mat having along its underside at least two switchesclosed in sequence as a person moves with the selected compartmentbetween the entrance and the exit, closure of the two switches togethersensing two persons in the selected compartment.
 34. The revolving doorof claim 33, consecutive closures of one of said switches sensing twopersons in the selected compartment.
 35. The revolving door of claim 33wherein said switches are tape-type switches closed by foot pressure andare arranged in sectors, the switches in each sector connected inparallel.
 36. The revolving door of claim 29 wherein the identifyingmeans includes key means, the revolving door further including secondsensing means coupled with the key means to indicate that a particularauthorized person has passed from the entrance to the exit and toprevent an unauthorized individual from using the same key means to alsopass from the entrance to the exit.
 37. The revolving door of claim 30wherein the second sensing means is a switch closed as the selectedcompartment registers with the exit.
 38. The revolving door of claim 30wherein the second sensing means includes at least one tape-typepressure switch closed by foot pressure.
 39. The revolving door of claim34 wherein the sensing means includes at least two tape-type pressureswitches disposed on the underside of a concealing mat, said switches ofthe sensing means arranged in a first sector nearest the startingposition and a second sector adjacent the first sector.
 40. Therevolving door of claim 39 wherein the second sensing means includes atleast one tape-type pressure switch closed by foot pressure disposed ina discrete third sector remote from the first sector.
 41. The revolvingdoor of claim 29 further including means for sensing stall of revolutionof the member for a first period of time, the stall sensing meanscontrolling the drive means to stop the member for a second period oftime and at the expiration of the second period of time controlling thedrive means to revolve the member in a reverse direction to return theselected compartment to the starting position.
 42. The revolving door ofclaim 41 wherein the first period of time is at least 2 seconds and thesecond period of time is at least 5 seconds.
 43. A revolving door andcontrol to limit ingress and egress to and from a security area toauthorized personnel comprising:a housing having an entrance spaced froman exit which communicates with the security area; a revolving memberdisposed in the housing, the member including a shaft and a plurality ofoutwardly projecting wings which, in cooperation with the housing definecompartments to revolve with the shaft and transfer an authorized personbetween the entrance and the exit; reversible drive means to revolve themember and compartments in a forward direction, reverse direction and tostop the member against revolution; means for identifying an authorizedperson and controlling the drive means from a starting position torevolve the member and compartments in a forward direction to move aselected compartment and authorized person from the entrance to the exitand stop; means for sensing two or more persons in the selectedcompartment moving from the entrance to the exit, said sensing meanscontrolling the drive means to reversely revolve the member to returnthe selected compartment to the starting position and stop; and meansfor sensing travel by an unauthorized person in another compartment fromthe exit to the entrance with the movement of the authorized person fromthe entrance to the exit, the travel sensing means controlling the drivemeans to reversely revolve and return the unauthorized person to theexit.
 44. The revolving door of claim 43 wherein the identifying meansidentifies the authorize person by individual indicia which aretransferable, the revolving door further including means for sensing thepassage of an authorized person from the entrance to the exit, thepassage sensing means controlling the identifying means to reject use byan unauthorized person to attempt to pass through the revolving door.45. The revolving door of claim 44 wherein the individual indicia is akey encoded for each authorized person. .Iadd.
 46. A control for asecurity door of the type having a housing with an entrance and an exit,a member rotatably disposed in the housing and having a plurality ofwings which, in cooperation with the housing, define at least onecompartment movable between the entrance and exit in response torotation of the member, the control comprising:means for enabling themember for rotation to move a selected compartment between the entranceand exit in response to identification of an authorized person; meansfor generating pulses as the selected compartment moves between theentrance and exit, each pulse representing a small increment of movementof the selected compartment, and being independent of any specificpositional relationship of the wings to the housing; means fordetermining the position of the selected compartment from the pulses;means for sensing an unauthorized person or object in at least oneposition between the entrance and exit, the sensing means generating asignal indicative of such person or object; and means for comparing theposition of the door with the signal to indicate the passage of theauthorized individual through the designated region, the comparing meansissuing a disabling command to prevent further motion of the compartmenttoward the exit when the position of the compartment and the signalindicates the presence of an unauthorized person or object. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 47. A control for a security door of the type having a housingwith an entrance and an exit, a member rotatably disposed in the housingand having a plurality of wings which, in cooperation with the housing,define at least one compartment movable between the entrance and exit inresponse to rotation of the member, the control comprising:means forenabling the member for rotation to move a selected compartment betweenthe entrance and exit in response to identification of an authorizedperson; means for generating pulses as the selected compartment movesbetween the entrance and exit, each pulse representing a small incrementof movement for the selected compartment, and being independent of anyspecific positional relationship of the wings to the housing; meansconnected to the pulse-generating means for determining at least onespecific positional relationship of the wings to the housing to enabledetermination of the compartment position from the pulses; means forsensing an unauthorized person or object in at least one positionbetween the entrance and exit, the sensing means generating a signalindicative of such person or object; and means for comparing theposition of the door with the signal to indicate the passage of theauthorized individual through the designated region, the comparing meansissuing a disabling command to prevent further motion of the compartmenttoward the exit when the position of the compartment and the signalindicates the presence of an unauthorized person or object. .Iaddend.